Severe animal neglect allegations made against Geronimo woman

A Comanche County woman is accused of animal cruelty after she claimed it was suffering from cancer but a veterinarian examination revealed it suffered from severe neglect and was euthanized to stop its suffering.

The Comanche County District Court issued a felony arrest warrant Friday for Becky Marie Meade, 59, of Geronimo, for a count of cruelty to animals, records indicate. The crime is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine up to $5,000.

Geronimo Police Chief David Johnston stated he was called on March 10 to the report of an injured animal at 420 Oklahoma Street and arrived to find a dog lying next to the driveway at 402 Oklahoma Street. “It was obvious the dog was emaciated, the vertebrae along the back were visible as well as all the ribs and the dog’s hair was completely gone,” the chief stated in the warrant affidavit.

A neighbor told Johnston the dog drug itself there by walking on its front legs and dragging its back end. The man said he gave the dog two bottles of water but it wouldn’t eat any food provided, the affidavit states. Attempts to load the dog into a truck to take to veterinarian Dr. Larry Chambers’ clinic were difficult as it would begin biting from pain every it was touched. The dog was loaded after being wrapped in a couple of blankets.

Once at the vet, Johnston spoke with Chambers and requested bloodwork be done and an examination conducted. The clinic received a call from the neighbor who said Meade, who lives at 312 Oklahoma Street, came by looking for the dog. He said she told him the dog was sick with cancer, according to the affidavit.

On March 12, following examination, Chambers told Johnston the dog did not have cancer and its condition was a “direct result of neglect” and the chief signed the euthanasia paperwork to stop the animal’s suffering, the affidavit states.

A $10,000 cash warrant bond was issued upon Meade’s arrest.